News

Receiving salary guarantee

GM John Lynch said McKinnon (knee) will stay with the 49ers through April 1, when his 2019 base salary ($3.7 million) becomes guaranteed, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: The signing of Tevin Coleman led to speculation, but Lynch confirmed McKinnon is still part of the plan for 2019. Of course, the 49ers would be foolish not to listen if another organization were to approach them with a serious trade offer for McKinnon or Matt Breida (ankle). The current alignment points to four running backs on the 53-man roster, as the aforementioned trio is joined by special teams ace Raheem Mostert, who recently signed a three-year contract. McKinnon, Breida and Coleman are…read more

Published: Mon, Mar 25 at 11:34am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Joined by Coleman in busy backfield

Analysis: Speaking a couple weeks ago, coach Kyle Shanahan said he expects McKinnon to handle the lead backfield job in 2019, with the prized signing from last offseason making good progress in his recovery from the ACL tear he suffered Sept. 1. The addition of Coleman creates some doubt about the 49ers' confidence in Breida and McKinnon, but there hasn't been any suggestion the latter is in danger of being released before Apr. 1 when his 2019 base salary ($3.7 million) will become guaranteed. Assuming…read more

Published: Thu, Mar 14 at 11:53am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Expected to take starting job

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects McKinnon (knee) to handle the lead role in the 49ers' backfield in 2019, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Analysis: It's an odd comment given that McKinnon has yet to play a game for the team, and especially after Matt Breida (ankle) finished fourth in the NFL with an average of 5.3 yards per carry in 2018. The 49ers signed McKinnon to a four-year, $30 million contract last offseason, but the structure of the deal makes it relatively painless to release him after 2019. With all reports suggesting McKinnon is on or ahead of schedule in his rehab from a preseason ACL tear, the most likely scenario features the…read more

Published: Wed, Feb 27 at 11:55am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Ahead of schedule

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said McKinnon (knee) is six weeks ahead of schedule in his recovery process, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: While he presumably hasn't been sprinting or cutting, McKinnon recently was spotted catching passes from Jimmy Garoppolo (knee), who also is working his way back from an ACL tear. The 49ers believe both players are on pace to take the field for the start of training camp in late July, but the positive early progress doesn't make it a sure thing. Once healthy, McKinnon will face stiff competition for playing time from 2018 breakout star Matt Breida (ankle), who ranked fourth among qualified…read more

Published: Wed, Jan 30 at 1:09pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Catching passes from Jimmy G

Analysis: Both players are working back from ACL tears, with McKinnon suffering his injury Sept. 1 and Garoppolo suffering his Sept. 23. The 26-year-old running back seems to be on schedule in his recovery, but he still figures to be absent or limited throughout the offseason program and into OTAs/minicamp. Once he returns to full participation in practice, McKinnnon will face stiff competition for playing time from Matt Breida, who averaged 5.3 yards on 153 carries despite battling through an ankle…read more

Published: Tue, Jan 22 at 9:32am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com